It is believed Benitez will try again for Gonzalez in the summer.
Benitez said: “He’s someone we knew when he was younger. Now he’s playing really well with the Tenerife first team in the second division.
“(Liverpool coach) Eduardo (Macia) knows the player really well and we’ve been watching him for a while.
“Because I was once manager with Tenerife I have a very good relationship with their chief executive and some of their directors and I’m talking to them about bringing the player here and paying compensation. We’re now waiting to see if we can take the deal forward. He is right winger, quick and has a lot of ability.
“We are thinking about making a loan deal with an option to sign, but he would not come until next season.”
